Captive key release closure structure

ABSTRACT

A captive key release closure structure includes a base ring for connection to a rim of a container, a closure member or cap integrally hinged to the base ring, latch indentations on an outer surface of a neck wall of the base ring, and latch pawls on an inner surface of a depending circumferential wall of the cap and aligned with the indentations. A key slot is formed in the cap wall at a position opposite the hinge, and a key receiving recess is formed in the base ring. The latch indentations and pawls are positioned in sets on opposite sides of the key slot and key recess. The closure structure is opened by insertion of a small keylike tool, such as a coin, spoon, or the like, and twisting against the surfaces forming the key slot and recess to separate and thereby release the pawls from the indentations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No.07/406,169 filed Sept. 12, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 1,991,730.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to closure devices for containers and,more particularly, to a hinged closure including a hidden latch which isreleased by twisting a key like device in a key slot of the closure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of containers and closure devices therefor have beendeveloped in an effort to prevent poisoning of and injuries to youngchildren by the ingestion of hazardous contents of such containers orcontact therewith. This has been particularly true with regard toprescription and over the counter drugs. The same principles are alsodesirable for containers of household chemicals such as detergents andother cleaners, solvents, paints, fuels and automotive types of fluids,lawn and garden chemicals, and the like. In general, the approach is tomake a container difficult to open intuitively, but to provide printedinstructions for opening the container which can be followed by someonemature enough to read and understand the opening instructions, as wellas any warnings provided on the label.

Another goal of the container and packaging industries is to providecontainers which will readily show evidence of prior tampering to apurchaser of products contained therein. The principal concern issafety, to prevent the contamination of ingestible products with harmfulforeign materials. Another concern involved with tamper evidentpackaging is to inhibit in-store pilferage of packaged materials and tomaintain customer good will by providing the full quantity of a productas listed on the package or container.

Most aerosol products involve some sort of hazard. The propellants for aconsiderable percentage of aerosol products are flammable, and most canbe asphixiating in high concentrations in closed areas. Many products inaerosol form can be injurious, such as paints, cleaners of varioustypes, insecticides, etc., by contact with the skin or eyes or ifinhaled. To avoid these hazards and others, it is generally recommendedthat small children be prevented from handling and using aerosolcontainers. Child resistant caps to cover spray actuators of aerosolcontainers have been developed to inhibit operation of aerosol sprayactuators. In one such type of child resistant aerosol cap, designatedsides of the cap must be squeezed to distort an inner wall having apartial bead engaging a neck of the aerosol can to release the bead sothat the cap can be twisted loose. In another type, a tool such as ascrewdriver must be inserted through an aperture through an outer wallof the cap to release it.

One problem with most types of child resistant caps for aerosolcontainers is that once the cap is removed, it may be easily lost ordiscarded since it is not attached to the container. Once the cap islost, the container is no longer child resistant and may thereafter beabused by a curious child, not aware of the possible dangers involved.Another problem with many conventional types of aerosol containers isthat in a store, the product may be released by an irresponsible person,recapped, and replaced on the shelf and thereafter purchased by acustomer not suspecting that the full quantity of product is notpresent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a child resistant closure structure whichis difficult to open by a young child with limited manual dexterity, butwhich can be opened using a simple tool by a more mature person. Ingeneral, the closure structure of the present invention is a captive,key release closure structure. The structure includes a base ring foraffixing to a container, such as a medicine bottle, aerosol can, or thelike, a closure member or cap integrally hinged to the base ring, alatch mechanism to retain the cap in the closed position, and a key slotbetween the base ring and cap which is sized to receive a simple tool,such as a coin, spoon, screwdriver, or the like which can be twisted topryingly release the latch mechanism. The integral hinge arrangement, orcaptive nature of the cap, maintains the child resistant quality of theclosure structure since the cap is not free to be misplaced once opened.

The present invention includes a low profile embodiment which isparticularly adapted for containers such as small medicine bottles asare used for both prescription and some over the counterpharmaceuticals. The cap of the low profile closure is sized in diameterand height to just fit over a neck wall of the base ring of thestructure. The key slot may be formed in either a depending wall of thecap or may be formed into the base ring and is positioned diametricallyopposite the hinge. A preferred latch arrangement for the low profileclosure includes a pair of indentations formed on an outside surface ofthe neck wall of the base ring on opposite sides of the position of thekey slot and pawl wedges formed on an inner surface of the dependingwall of the cap and positioned to align with the indentations.Alternatively, the indentations could be formed on the cap wall, and thepawl wedges could be formed on the neck wall of the base ring.

An alternative embodiment of the latch mechanism for the low profile keyrelease closure structure is implemented by a so-called reverse draftrelationship between the neck wall of the base ring and the dependingwall of the cap. The outer surface of the neck wall has a frustoconicalshape diverging upwardly. The inner surface of the cap wall is providedwith a complementary frustoconical shape which converges downwardly. Akey slot is formed between the cap and the base ring at a positionopposite the hinge.

A closure structure incorporating either the pawl and indentation latchmechanism or the reverse draft latch mechanism is formed of a somewhatresilient plastic with enough resilience to allow the latch members torelease when a key is twisted in the key slot. The degree of difficultyin opening such a structure can be controlled during manufacture byvarying the thickness of the depending wall of the cap, the materialemployed, and the interengaging depth of the members of the particularlatch mechanism.

The present invention also provides a high profile embodiment of thecaptive key release closure structure which is particularly adapted foraerosol containers. The high profile closure structure generallyincludes a base ring for assembly onto a neck rim of an aerosol can, aclosure member or cap connected to the base ring by an integral hinge, akey release latch arrangement formed as cooperating components on thebase ring and the cap, and a key slot formed between the cap and base toreceive a key release tool. The base ring includes a top wall with anopening therethrough to accommodate the spray actuator of the aerosolcan and a depending side wall having an inner ridge which snaps over theneck rim of the aerosol can.

A latch pawl projects upwardly from the top wall of the base ringopposite the hinge. A catch wedge is formed on an inner surface of theside wall opposite the hinge for engagement with the latch pawl on thebase ring when the cap is closed. The latch pawl and catch wedge are,thus, hidden within the closure structure when the cap is closed. Thelatch arrangement is released to open the cap by inserting a simple toolinto the key slot and twisting to snap the latch components past oneanother. The cap may then be pivoted about the hinge to an openposition.

The high profile embodiment of the closure structure may be providedwith various types of tamper evident features to indicate to a purchaserof a container incorporating the structure that the container has beenpreviously tampered with. For use with aerosol containers having theirown aerosol spray actuators, an actuator cover may be connected to thebase ring by integrally molded and frangible tamper bars. The cover mustbe removed by breaking the tamper bars for access to the spray actuator.Alternatively, an integral spray actuator may be molded onto the basering and connected by similarly frangible tamper bars. In this form, thetamper bars must be broken loose for use of the spray actuator.

The closure structure of the present invention is adapted for assemblywith aerosol containers using automatic capping machines. To avoidundesired breakage of the tamper bars, the caps are provided withseparation prevention pins or pegs positioned on the undersides of theend walls of the caps. The separation prevention pin engages theintegral spray actuator cover or the integral spray actuator in theclosed position of the associated caps to prevent the tamper evidentfeatures from being accidentally separated.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide animproved child resistant closure structure for containers; to providesuch a structure which can be conveniently opened by mature persons,including adults with impaired dexterity; to provide such a structureincorporating a captive or hinged cap which is pivotal relative to abase of the structure which is connected to a container; to provide sucha structure in which the cap is retained in a closed position by a latcharrangement which is released by twisting a key like object, such as acoin, in a key slot to pryingly release the latch; to provide such astructure in which the latch arrangement is hidden from view in theclosed position of the cap; to provide a low profile embodiment of sucha structure which is particularly well adapted for use on smallprescription drug type containers; to provide a high profile embodimentof such a structure which is particularly well adapted for use on aconventional aerosol container or can without modifications thereto; toprovide such a high profile structure which incorporates tamper evidentfeatures; to provide such a structure which is adapted for assembly onan aerosol can without damage to or separation of the tamper evidentfeatures; to provide such a structure including an aerosol sprayactuator cover which is frangibly integral with the base ring of thestructure and a pin on an inner side of a top wall of the cap whichengages the cover in the closed position of the cap to preventseparation of the cover when the structure is assembled onto an aerosolcan; to provide a modified embodiment of such a structure including anaerosol spray actuator which is frangibly integral with the base ringalong with a separation prevention pin on the cap; to provide a varietyof latch arrangements for such a key release closure structure which areadaptable to various sizes and types of containers; and to provide sucha captive key release closure structure which is economical tomanufacture, effective and convenient in use, and which is particularlywell adapted for its intended purpose.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example,certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification, include exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects andfeatures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a low profile embodiment ofa captive key release closure structure embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the lowprofile key release closure.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the low profile key release closure, shownin an open orientation.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary diametric sectional view of the lowprofile key release closure, shown in the open orientation.

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary radial sectional view of thelow profile key release closure and illustrates details of a latchmechanism thereof.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the low profile keyrelease closure with portions broken away to illustrates detailsthereof.

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary radial sectional view of thelow profile key release closure and illustrates details of the key slotand key receiving recess therebehind.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a reverse draft embodimentof the low profile key release closure which incorporates a reversedraft latch arrangement.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary diametric sectional view of thereverse draft key release closure

FIG. 10 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary radial sectional view of thereverse draft key release closure and illustrates details of reversedraft latch arrangement.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a high profile embodimentof the key release closure of the present invention employing a modifiedlatch arrangement and shown installed on an aerosol container.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the high profile key release closure,shown in an open orientation.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the high profile key releaseclosure.

FIG. 14 is a diametric sectional view of the high profile key releaseclosure taken on line 14--14 of FIG. 13 and illustrates details ofcooperation between components of the closure and an aerosol container.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the high profile key releaseclosure, shown in an open orientation and with portions broken away toillustrate details thereof.

FIG. 16 is a diametric sectional view of a second high profileembodiment of the key release closure which is provided with a frangiblyintegral aerosol spray actuator.

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the second high profile keyrelease closure, shown in an open orientation and with portions brokenaway to illustrate details thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

Referring the drawings in more detail:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a captive key releaseclosure structure embodying the present invention. The structure 1generally includes a base ring or base 2 adapted to be attached to acontainer 3 and a closure member or cap 4 hinged to the base 2 and sizedand positioned to close upon the base 2 to seal the container 3. Thestructure 1 is provided with latch members 5 and 6 formed respectivelyon the base 2 and cap 4 which cooperate to retain the cap 4 in a closedposition on the base 2. The structure 1 is also provided with a key slot7 positioned relative to the base 2 and cap 4 such that when the cap 4is in the closed position, it may be opened by twisting a common tool,such as a coin, spoon, or the like, in the key slot 7 to pry the latchmembers 5 and 6 apart to release same and allow the cap 4 to be pivotedto an open position

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a preferred low profile embodiment 10 of thecaptive key release closure structure 1. The base ring 2 includes amounting collar 11 which is adapted to snap over a rim 12 of thecontainer 3. The container 3 may, for example, be a vial or bottle ofthe type in which prescription drugs are dispensed. A circumferentialneck wall 14 projects upwardly from the collar 11 and has a diameterslightly less than that of the collar 11 to define an upwardly facingshoulder 15 on top of the collar 11.

The cap 4 includes a circular end wall 18 having a cylindrical wall 19depending from a periphery thereof. The wall 19 has a lower surface 20.The cap 4 is hingedly connected to the base ring 2 by a hinge member 22connected between the collar 11 of the base ring 2 and the dependingwall 19 of the cap 4. Preferably, the base ring 2, cap 4, and hingemember 22 are formed integrally, as of a somewhat flexible and resilientplastic. The depending wall 19 has a diameter slightly greater than thatof the neck wall 14 whereby when the cap 4 is closed, the cap wall 19fits snugly about the neck wall 14 to seal the container 3 by engagementof the surface 20 of the cap 4 with the shoulder 15 of the base 2. Thesurface 20 and shoulder 15 also form an interface 33 between the cap 4and base ring 2 when the cap 4 is in the closed position.

A recess portion 24 of the neck wall 14 is curved inwardly at a positionopposite the hinge 22, and the shoulder 15 is extended inwardly to forma recess base wall 25 connecting with the recess wall 24. The recesswall 24 and recess base wall 25 define a key receiving recess 26. Thekey slot 7 is rectangular in shape, and in the illustrated low profilestructure 10, the key slot 7 is formed in the depending wall 19 of thecap 4 at a position opposite the hinge 22. The key receiving recess 26aligns with the key slot 7 when the cap 4 is in the closed position andprovides clearance behind the slot 7 to receive a key like tool used toopen the cap 4. The illustrated key slot 7 is sized to receive a keylike tool, such as a U. S. five cent coin or nickel This size isappropriate for receiving other common household items, such as a handletip of a spoon, a table knife, a screwdriver, or the like for use inprying the cap 4 open.

A preferred embodiment of a key release latch mechanism 28 isillustrated in FIGS. 1-7. In the latch mechanism 28, a pair of latchindentations 5 are formed an outer surface 29 of the neck wall 14 onopposite sides of the recess 26. A pair of latch pawl wedges 6 areformed on an inner surface 30 of the depending cap wall 19 on oppositesides of the key slot 7 and positioned to align with the indentations 5.When the cap 4 is pivoted to the closed position, as shown in FIG. 2,the pawl wedges 6 snap into the indentations 5 to retain the cap 4 inthe closed position. In order to release the latch mechanism 28, akeylike tool (not shown) is inserted into the recess 26 through the keyslot 7 and twisted to engage a lower surface 31 of the key slot 7 and anupper surface 32 of the recess base wall 25. Usually, such an actionwill release both latches 28. However, it may be necessary under somecircumstances to twist the keylike tool first in one direction and thenthe opposite direction to fully release both latches 28.

While the illustrated low profile captive key release closure structure10 is illustrated as separate from the container 3, it could also beformed integrally therewith. And while the container 3 is illustrated asa cylindrical or frustoconical medicine type vial, it could other typesof containers of different shapes, such as rectangular or the like.Finally, while the key slot 7 is illustrated as being formed in the wall19 of the cap 4, it could be formed entirely within the base ring 2 orhave portions formed in the cap wall 19 and the base ring 2.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a modified embodiment 37 of the low profilecaptive key release closure structure which incorporates a so-calledreverse draft type of latch mechanism 38. The reverse draft closurestructure 37 is similar in most respects to the low profile key releasestructure 10 except for aspects related to the latch mechanism 38. Thestructure 37 includes a base ring 40 adapted to snap over the rim 41 ofa container 42, such as a medicine vial. The base ring 40 includes acircumferential neck wall 43 which is inset radially from a mountingcollar 44 of the base 40. A closure member or cap 45 includes an endwall 46 with a depending cylindrical wall 47. The cap 45 is attached tothe base ring 40 by a hinge member 48 which, preferably, is integralwith the cap 45 and base ring 40.

A key slot 50 is formed in the base ring 40 at a position opposite thehinge 48 and has a key receiving recess 51 formed inwardly thereof. Asis illustrated in FIG. 8, there is no portion of a key slot formed inthe cap 45. However, the key slot 50 could alternatively be formed inthe wall 47 of the cap 45 in combination with a recess 51 in the basering 40, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 for the closure structure10. Similarly, the key slot 50 could be divided between the base ring 40and the cap 45. The key slot 50 provides for opening the cap 45 from itsclosed position upon the base ring 40 by the insertion of a keylike toolinto the slot 50 and twisting to separate portions of the latchmechanism 38.

The latch mechanism 38 is referred to as a reverse draft type of latchbecause the draft angles of an outer surface 53 of the neck wall 43 andan inner surface 54 of the depending wall 47 of the cap 45 is oppositeto that which would allow the cap 45 to be freely opened. The surfaces53 and 54 are complementarily frustoconical such that when the cap 45 isclosed upon the base ring 40, the surface 54 of the cap wall 47 snapspast the surface 53 of the neck wall 43 and, thus, retains the cap 45 inthe closed position. The surfaces 53 and 54 comprise components of thelatch mechanism 38. It is not essential that the conical contours of thesurfaces 53 and 54 extend completely about the neck wall 43 and cap wall47 respectively. However, such complete encirclement of the contours 53and 54 contributes to sealing of the container 42. The degree ofdifficulty to opening the cap 45 can be controlled during manufacture ofthe structure 37 by the choice of materials, the wall thickness of thecap wall 47, and the conical angles of the surfaces 53 and 54. In mostother respects, the closure structure 37 is substantially similar to thestructure 10.

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate a high profile embodiment 60 of the captive keyrelease closure structure which is particularly well adapted for cappingcontainers such as aerosol cans 61. The high profile structure 60includes a base ring 62 adapted for snapping over a neck rim 63 (FIG.14) of the aerosol can 61, and a closure member or cap 64 connected by apreferably integral hinge 65 to the base ring 62. The cap 64 is retainedin a closed position by a latch mechanism 66 (FIG. 13).

The base ring 62 includes an upper wall 73 having a circular opening oraperture 74 centered therethrough to accommodate an aerosol sprayactuator 75 of the aerosol can 61. A bead or low wall 76 extends about aperiphery of the base ring 62 except at a position opposite the hinge 65to prevent releasing the latch mechanism 66 by sliding the cap 64laterally. The cap 64 includes an end wall 80 having a cylindrical orsomewhat conical side wall 81 depending therefrom. The side wall 81 hasa height sufficient to accommodate the aerosol spray actuator 75. Thehinge 65 connects between an edge of the upper wall 73 of the base ring62 and an edge of the side wall 81 of the cap 64. The illustrated latchmechanism 66 includes a latch pawl 84 upstanding from the upper wall 73of the base ring at a position opposite the hinge 65 and a catch member85 formed on an inner surface of the cap wall 81 and positioned to alignwith the pawl 84. When the cap 64 is pivoted to the closed position, thecatch 85 snaps past the pawl 84 to retain the cap 64 in the closedposition.

A key slot 88 is formed in the cap wall 81 at a position opposite thehinge 65 and near the latch mechanism 66. The key slot 88 is sized toreceive a keylike tool which is inserted and twisted to pry apart andrelease the catch 85 and pawl 84 to open the cap 64. Such a keylike toolbears against the upper wall 73 of the base ring 62 in the area to thepawl 84 and an upper surface 89 of the key slot 88. The degree ofdifficulty in releasing the latch mechanism 66 can be controlled duringmanufacture of the structure 60 by varying the wall thickness of theside wall 81, the thickness of the pawl 84, the selection of materialsfor their construction, and the biting depth of the pawl 84 and catch85.

It should be noted that the key slot 88 could alternatively be formedentirely as a recess into the base ring 62, or portions of the key slot88 could be in both the base ring 62 and the cap wall 81. The highprofile key release closure structure 60 could alternatively be providedwith another type of latch mechanism, such as one similar to the latchmechanism 28 of the structure 10 or the reverse draft type of latchmechanism 38 of the structure 37.

The high profile key release closure structure 60 is preferably providedwith a tamper evident arrangement 92 to alert a consumer buying aproduct housed in the container 61 that the product may have previouslybeen tampered with. As illustrated in FIGS. 12, 14, and 15, the tamperevident arrangement 92 is embodied as a spray actuator cover 93 which ismolded integral with the structure 60. The cover 93 is connected to theupper wall 73 of the base ring 62 by frangible ribs or tamper bars 94extending between the cover 93 and a surface forming the opening 74. Theribs 94 must be broken and the cover 93 removed to enable access to thespray actuator 75. A legend should be printed on a label of thecontainer 61 or the cap 64 to alert the buyer to the expected presenceof the tamper evident cover 93. In order to assure that the ribs 94 arenot unintendedly broken before the closure structure 60 is even placedon the container 61, as by an automatic capping machine, the structure60 is provided with a peg or pin 95 extending from the end wall 80 ofthe cap 64. As is illustrated in FIG. 14, the pin 95 contacts the cover93 in the closed position of the cap 64 and prevents movement betweenthe cover 93 and the base ring 62 which could break the ribs 94.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a high profile key release closure structure100, which is substantially similar to the structure 60. The principaldifference is that a spray actuator 101 is molded integral with a basering 102 of the structure 100. The actuator 101 is connected to the basering 102 by frangible ribs 103. The base ring 102 is connected by anintegral hinge 104 to a closure member or cap 105. The cap 105 isretained in a closed position by a latch mechanism 106, similar to thelatch mechanism 66 of the structure 60. The cap 105 is provided with aseparation prevention pin or peg 107 extending from an end wall 108 ofthe cap 105 which engages the actuator 101 when the cap 105 is in itsclosed position to prevent the actuator 101 from being unintentionallyseparated from the base ring 102, as during capping of a container 109by an automatic capping machine to position the stucture 100 on anaerosol container 109 and the actuator 101 on an aerosol valve stem 110.The cap 105 includes a side wall in which is formed a key slot 111similar to the key slot 88 of the structure 60 which is employed in asimilar manner thereto to release the latch mechanism 106.

The spray actuator 101 integrally molded with the closure structure 100provides tamper evidence regarding any product housed in a container 109on which the structure 100 is affixed. In order to release a productwithin the container 109, the actuator 101 must first be twisted tobreak the ribs 103 to thereby free the actuator 101. A prospective buyerof a product packaged in the container 109 may be alerted by a warningon the container 109 or cap 105 to inspect the ribs 103 for priortampering before purchasing the product. In most other respects, theclosure structure 100 is substantially similar to the structure 60.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present inventionhave been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited tothe specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is asfollows:
 1. A captive key release closure structure for an aerosolcontainer having a neck rim and an aerosol actuator, said structurecomprising:(a) a base ring sized for connection to said aerosolcontainer by engaging said neck rim; (b) a cap member having at leastone open position and a closed position, said cap member being sized tofit over an aerosol actuator of said container; (c) hinge meansconnecting said cap member to said base ring to enable pivoting said capmember between said closed position and said open position; (d) anexterior cap side wall of said cap member mating with said base ringwhen said cap member is in said closed position and operably adapted toencircle the aerosol actuator when said cap member is in said closedposition; (e) cooperating latch means on said base ring and saidexterior cap wall to releasably retain said cap member in said closedposition; and (f) a key slot formed on at least one of said exterior capwall and said base ring and positioned at an interface therebetween whensaid cap member is in said closed position, said key slot being adaptedto receive key means operable to pry said cap member away from said basering to thereby release said latch means and allow said pivoting of saidcap member.
 2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein:(a) saidhinge means is integral with said base ring and said cap member.
 3. Anactuator covering structure for an aerosol container having a neck rimand an aerosol actuator, said structure comprising:(a) a base ring sizedfor connection to said aerosol container by engaging said neck rim; (b)a cap member having at least one open position and a closed position,said cap member being sized to fit over an aerosol actuator of saidcontainer; (c) hinge means connecting said cap member to said base ringto enable pivoting said cap member between said closed position and saidopen position; (d) cap wall means of said cap member for cooperativelymating with said base ring when said cap member is in said closedposition; (e) cooperating latch means on said base ring and said capwall means to releasably retain said cap member in said closed position;(f) separable tamper evident means joined to said base ring; said tamperevident means being adapted for separation from said ring by a user of acontainer having said structure connected thereto; and (g) a pegextending from said cap, said peg engaging said tamper evident meanswhen said cap is in a closed position thereof to prevent undesiredseparation of said tamper evident means from said base ring uponconnection of said structure to said container.
 4. The structureaccording to claim 3 wherein:(a) said tamper evident means comprise atleast one frangible bar connecting said actuator to said ring prior touse and said peg engages the top of said actuator when said cap is inthe closed position thereof.
 5. The structure according to claim 3wherein:(a) said tamper means comprise a cover that surrounds saidactuator prior to use; said cover being frangibly joined to said ringprior to use of the container associated with the structure such thatthe cover must be removed prior to use of the actuator; and said pegengaging a top of said cover when said cap is in the closed positionthereof and prior to removal of said cover from said ring.
 6. A captivekey release closure structure for an aerosol container having a neck rimand an aerosol actuator, said structure comprising:(a) a base ring sizedfor connection to said aerosol container by engaging said neck rim; (b)a cap member having at least one open position and a closed position,said cap member being sized to fit over an aerosol actuator of saidcontainer; (c) hinge means connecting said cap member to said base ringto enable pivoting said cap member between said closed position and saidopen position; (d) cap wall means of said cap member for cooperativelymating with said base ring when said cap member is in said closedposition; (e) cooperating latch means on said base ring and said capwall means to releasably retain said cap member in said closed position;(f) a key slot formed on at least one of said cap wall means and saidbase ring and positioned at an interface therebetween when said capmember is in said closed position, said key slot being adapted toreceive key means operable to pry said cap member away from said basering to thereby release said latch means and allow said pivoting of saidcap member; (g) separable tamper evident means integral with said basering, said tamper evident means being adapted for separation from saidring by a user of a container having said structure connected thereto;and (h) separation prevention means positioned on said cap and engagingsaid tamper evident means in said closed position to prevent undesiredseparation of said tamper evident means from said ring upon connectionof said structure to said container.
 7. A structure as set forth inclaim 6 wherein said aerosol container includes an aerosol valve stemand requiring a spray actuator for cooperation with said stem, andwherein said tamper evident means includes:(a) a spray actuatorfrangibly integral with said base ring, said actuator being separatedfrom said ring for use of said aerosol container, and separation of saidactuator from said ring discovered by a purchaser of said containerindicating previous tampering therewith.
 8. A structure as set forth inclaim 6 wherein said tamper evident means includes:(a) a spray actuatorcover frangibly integral with said base ring, said cover being separatedfrom said ring for sue of said aerosol container, and separation of saidcover from said ring discovered by a purchaser of said containerindicating previous tampering therewith.
 9. A structure as set forth inclaim 6 wherein said separation prevention means includes:(a) a pegextending from said end wall of said cap, said peg engaging said tamperevident means in said closed position of said cap to prevent undesiredseparation of said tamper evident means from said base ring uponconnection of said structure to said container.
 10. An actuator coveringstructure for an aerosol container having a neck rim and an aerosolactuator, said structure comprising:(a) a base ring sized for connectionto said aerosol container by engaging said neck rim; (b) a cap memberhaving at least one open position and a closed position, said cap memberbeing sized to fit over an aerosol actuator of said container; (c) hingemeans connecting said cap member to said base ring to enable pivotingsaid cap member between said closed position and said open position; (d)cap side wall means of said cap member for cooperatively mating withsaId base ring when said cap member is in said closed position; (e)cooperating latch means on said base ring and said cap side wall meansto releasably retain said cap member in said closed position; and (f) apeg extending from said cap, said peg adapted to engage a top surface ofthe aerosol actuator when said cap is in a closed position thereof toprevent undesired separation of the aerosol actuator from said aerosolcontainer.